Richard Gould says revival of CLT20-style event is ‘next logical step’ for sport’s evolution

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is considering the revival of a global T20 club tournament, similar to the defunct Champions League T20 (CLT20), according to ECB chief executive Richard Gould. He views a “World Club Championship” as the “next logical step” in cricket’s evolution, particularly with the recent growth of T20 leagues worldwide.

The original CLT20, which ran from 2009 to 2014, was jointly run by the BCCI, Cricket Australia, and Cricket South Africa. It was eventually discontinued due to “limited public following” and commercial struggles, despite an initial lucrative broadcast deal. Gould, who was Somerset’s chief executive when they participated in the inaugural 2009 edition, believes the tournament was “ahead of its time” but couldn’t meet commercial expectations.

A major challenge for any new global club event would be finding a suitable slot in cricket’s already packed international calendar. Additionally, significant cooperation from Indian franchises would be essential, as most IPL and WPL owners also have stakes in other T20 leagues globally. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal has indicated openness to the idea if it “creates value for cricket at a global stage.”

If a World Club Championship were to proceed, England’s representative would likely be the winner of The Hundred, rather than the T20 Blast. This proposed tournament stands in contrast to Gould’s previous dismissal of a Saudi Arabian-backed T20 ‘Grand Slam’ circuit, which he stated had “no scope or demand.”

The concept of global club competitions is gaining traction in other sports, with football’s expanded Club World Cup starting soon and rugby union launching its own in 2028. In cricket, Guyana recently launched a ‘Global Super League,’ which in its upcoming second edition in July, will feature champions from Australia’s Big Bash League, New Zealand’s Super Smash, and the UAE’s ILT20.